MARAWI CITY, Philippines – Clad in full battle gear, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visited war-torn Marawi City for the third time on Thursday (August 24), to boost the morale of government troops from the Joint Special Operations Task Force Trident who have been fighting the Maute-led local terrorists for three months.
During his visit, the President shared words of encouragement with the troops and vowed anew to cover their children’s educational expenses.
He also handed out financial assistance, food packs, and watches.
Ignoring the dangers of the ongoing battle to reclaim Marawi City from the terrorists, the President ordered his convoy to stop at an area outside the safe zone so he could inspect the damage near ground zero and talk to the troops guarding the buildings previously occupied by terrorists from the Maute Group.
President Duterte also made a stopover at a temporary patrol base where he tried out a sniper rifle and fired it towards the direction of the enemies.
Accompanying the President were National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año, and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go.
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